Yo YO automatic fishing reels

[benhuntin]

Got a great deal on these through the "cheaper than dirt catalog. 12 reels for $26.
You attach these reels to a dock, boat, or overhanging limb and when a catfish hits the line it automatically sets the hook and reels it in. Cant wait to try them out on Lake Talquin. Anybody used these things before?

[GoTres]

Illegal here. My dad used to have a couple, I remember them in his tackle box. I wish he still had them just for conversation.

I guess they were outlawed because they didn't have to be tended. Not much difference between that and a trot line or jug line, far as I can see. Trot lines are legal in Tx, I think jug lines are not.

[hunt4fun1]

Go,

FYI, jugs ARE legal here. They should NOT be.
I see a couple of different boats everytime I'm on Lewisville putin out 100-150 jugs each.
There is no sport in that at all.
Should be banned. I mean a State wide ban. In fact, I have contacted TPWD more than once and voiced my opinion, of course, to no avail.
I can't even begin to imagine the damage done to the catfish population in this lake because of jug lining.


As for yo-yos, I used em as a kid in Louisiana and had luck with them.
Again, not much sport.
I mean, there is nothing like fighting a big cat on a medium weight rod.


You REALLY have to watch yourself when you set em!! I had a uncle that drove a dull hook straight into his bone trying to set a yo-yo up.

[benhuntin]

I just like to fish. Every legal method in the book I like to try. I'll run a trotline, set bush hooks, throw out a few jugs, (they cannot be free floating though) and while at the same time be sitting over my favorite catfish hole with the rod and reels. The kids like the diversity also. They love going around and checking the lines. I do it for the relaxation, enjoyment, and FRIED fish. As far as sporting goes.......AS long as im relaxed, enjoying, and catching fish, I dont care how sporting it is.

[ericb]

We've used them for panfish and cats and they work OK most of the time. You'll likely lose a few if the fish are large, though (which is why buying them by the dozen is a good idea). Bigger fish will strip the line and fracture the spring if you don't check them often enough (i.e. leave them overnight). The spring really isn't strong enough to "reel them in" but it will hold most smaller fish until you get there.

Try buying some of those little brass rod-tip bells and hook them to your auto-reels. That way, you can hear the strike and get to the line before it strips (then just drag the fish in trot-line style). My dad also rigs them on plastic milk jugs and free-floats them on small lakes and ponds.

Good fishing,
Eric B
Illinois

[GoTres]

Don't get me wrong Ben. I don't have a problem with trotlines either, as long as they aren't abandoned. I remember running lines with my grandad and his buddies. I don't think yo-yo's are much different from trotlines and i don't guess I understand why they're illegal here now as long as they are checked regularly.

[hunt4fun1]

Yeah....why would jugs and trots be legal here but not yo-yo's?

That's kinda odd.

[hoythunter48]

our neighbor buiilt like five ponds on his property last year adn asked em to put some catfish in two of them. he had bougth farm raised bass and channels for the rest adn wanted some bigger fish in the others so i ran some limblines and a trotline. I got to say that is some i ever had. I caught plenty of fish and had alot of lines broke so i know i had some real big fish on there. I even caught a couple real nice bass that took the bluegills id used. I plan on doin it again this spring, to put some fish in my grandpas pond

[fasteddy06]

I got a box of those for Christmas from an uncle. I havent used them yet. Where is the best place to put them. I guess there used like "docklines". OR can they be used with a Jug. I think i'll try them next time at the lake.